Winemaker Notes
La Touge is a medium bodied red wine made with Syrah and Grenache grapes. This wine is from a parcel of 20Ha with mixed soil of clay, Limestone and sandstone, in appellation CRU LA LIVINIERE.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Sour cherries, blueberry, dark cherries, herbs and dried flowers on the nose. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Supple and smooth on the palate with a round and creamy character. Layered and balanced. A blend of syrah and grenache. From bio dynamically grown grapes. Demeter. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
This citrusy red shows garrigue-lined notes of wild raspberry, orange peel, anise and mineral that are engaging and backed by lots of energy, with moderate tannins. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2024
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Wine Enthusiast
In this wine, aromas are vibrant, with notes of dried herbs, plum, cherry, violets and acacia. The palate has round tannin and stunning touches of cassis, black raspberry and ground pepper.
Chateau Maris is the vision of Englishman Robert Eden, who emigrated to France over 20 years ago to pursue his dream of crafting wines that reflect, rather than mask the land on which the grapes are grown. Robert's approach to winemaking is based on the fundamental premise that wine is "grown", not "made".
To craft wines that reveal the true character of the land, Chateau Maris strictly adheres to biodynamics, which is in effect a supercharged system of organic farming. Similar to organic farming, biodynamics adopts a holistic approach that views the entire vineyard as a living system that is impacted by its surroundings. Biodynamics seeks to encourage vitality in the vineyard by introducing live matter into the soil through intensive composting. In addition, biodynamics places a strong emphasis on harnessing naturally occurring cycles.
The entire estate is certified Organic as well as certified Biodynamic, using homeopathic preparations instead of chemicals on its land. The cellar itself is the only building in existence constructed entirely with hemp blocks and contains no paint, no plastic, no chemicals. Thanks to the geothermal properties of hemp, the cellar has no heating nor cooling system, making the project not only energy self-sufficient but making the project one of the few carbon-negative constructions in the world.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Granted its own appellation within Minervois in the Languedoc region of France, Minervois La Livinière takes its name from cella vinaria, Latin for ‘wine cellar.’ In the hilly northern end of Minervois, the altitude and dense, rocky limestone soils of La Liviniere produce quality red Rhône Blends made from Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Carignan.